20th Annual VISTE Thanksgiving Meal Delivery to the Elderly

Twenty years ago, VISTE (Volunteers in Service to the Elderly) leadership saw a need within its client base and reached out to volunteers to help meet that need. Thanks to the kindness of those volunteers, 100 clients received a Thanksgiving meal that year. This year, VISTE anticipates delivering meals to approximately 1,600 clients on the day before Thanksgiving – Wednesday, November 23rd.
“This is one of our biggest endeavors each year,” said Ashley Miller, Community Engagement Director. “But it’s also one that we enjoy the most. This brings together volunteers and clients in a really meaningful way, and it reminds all of us to really be thankful during the season of Thanksgiving.”
VISTE’s mission is to enable the frail elderly to remain safely and independently in their own homes.
The Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Program is already underway at VISTE in various behind-the-scenes ways, but it will begin in earnest for volunteers the week of Thanksgiving. Volunteers gather each year on the Monday of that week at First Presbyterian Church to snap pole beans to be cooked later and used in the hot meal to be distributed on Wednesday the 23rd.
Seating for the Bean Snap is limited. For those interested in snapping beans on Monday, 11/21 from 10am-noon, space must be reserved by calling Nancy Moses, Program Director at 863-284-0828 ext 111 or emailing nancy@viste.org no later than Thursday, November 17th.
On the day before Thanksgiving (Wed, 11/23), volunteers will be needed to deliver meals to clients and to spend some time visiting with them. Meals may be picked up at The Lakeland Center, Entrance 2, which is located at 701 W. Lime St. in Lakeland. Pick-up begins at 3 p.m. No registration is needed. Children are welcomed and encouraged.
Those interested in following the event on Facebook are encouraged to go to VISTE’s Facebook page for additional information at www.facebook.com/vistelakeland.
“This is something that we’ve seen grow through the years, with families and friends delivering together,” Miller said. “We provide volunteers with maps and directions along with the meals. Volunteers tell us that it’s a good way to begin the Thanksgiving holiday together.”
Anyone interested in volunteering to deliver Thanksgiving meals should simply arrive at The Lakeland Center at the distribution time to collect their meals. Anyone with questions may contact VISTE at 863.284.0828 or email ashley@viste.org.
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